ἐγκρύπτω
I hide in, mix with
Definition
The verb ἐγκρύπτω means to hide something within something else, often by mixing or kneading it in. In its two New Testament occurrences, it describes the action of a woman hiding leaven (yeast) within a large quantity of flour (Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:21). The image is not of concealing something to keep it secret, but of embedding an active agent into a mass so that it can work from within. This action implies a transformative process initiated from the inside out.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the New Testament, in parallel parables of Jesus recorded in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:21. In both instances, it describes the specific, intentional act of a woman mixing leaven into three measures of flour. The usage is entirely metaphorical, forming the central action of the 'Parable of the Leaven.'
Etymology
Derived from the preposition ἐν (en, 'in') and the verb κρύπτω (kryptō, 'to hide, conceal'). It literally means 'to hide in.' This compound form emphasizes the idea of placing an object inside another substance, where it becomes embedded and potentially invisible at the start.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the dynamic action in Jesus' 'Parable of the Leaven.' Understanding ἐγκρύπτω enriches the reading by highlighting that the kingdom of God is not just present, but is actively and invisibly introduced into the world (symbolized by the flour) to transform it from within. It speaks to the pervasive, internal, and transformative nature of God's reign.
In the 1st-century setting, leaven (yeast) was a common, small piece of fermented dough used to make bread rise. The act of 'hiding' it in flour was a familiar, everyday domestic task for women. The three measures of flour (about 50 pounds) was an unusually large amount, hinting at a festive or communal baking event, which amplifies the parable's scale.
κρύπτω (kryptō, G2928) — A more general term for 'to hide or conceal,' without the specific sense of mixing into a substance.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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